A Summary of the Course
Study Book 1: Planning, Design and Practicalities in the Garden
The naming of plants,
hardiness, course glossary, course log, course introduction and study guide.
Objectives,
Key words, Introduction, Understanding the site, Identifying your landscape: size
~ soil type and pH ~ Micro climate: prevailing winds; soil drainage and levels; sun
and shade ~ Making plans: Scale drawing and notes ~ Existing plant material ~ Correction
of problems: Construction problems; level changes; access to the site; existing materials;
wish list and specific needs ~ Plant terminology ~ Landscape design: budget constraints;
size of mature plants; realistic expectations; general design factors; creation of
focal point(s); special considerations for town and patio gardens ~ Planting difficult
sites ~ Vegetable gardens: site; crop choice and rotations: planning the layout ~
Fruit gardens ~ Review questions.
Study Book 2: The Winter Garden
Objectives, Key words,
Introduction. Winter protection: Trees & shrubs; Rodents; Snow damage; Broadleaf
evergreens; Flower beds; Roses; Plants in above-
Study Book 3: The Spring
Garden
Objectives, Key words, Introduction. Lawns: Cleanup; Snow damage; Aeration;
Thatch; Seeding; Top dressing; Mowing; Weeds ~ Flower Beds: Cleanup; Planting & Transplanting;
Annuals; Roses ~ Trees, Shrubs & Vines: Fertilising: Roses; Broadleaf Evergreen shrubs;
Trees & Shrubs; Hedges; Transplanting: bare root plants; Balled and burlapped plants;
container plants; Pruning ~ Pest Control ~ Vegetables and Fruits: Vegetables: Soil
preparation; cold season crops; hardiness; Succession planting; cultivars; Sowing;
Mulching; Transplanting; Tomatoes ~ Fruit Trees & Small Fruits: Strawberries ~ Review
Questions.
Study Book 4: The Summer Garden
Objectives, Key words, Introduction. Lawns:
Mowing; Irrigation ~ Flower Beds: General; Transplanting techniques; Annuals; Containers;
Perennials; Deadheading; Seeding; Mulches; Roses; Bulbs; Weeds & Insects ~ Trees,
Shrubs and Vines: Transplanting; Pruning; Trees; Shrubs; Hedges; Vines; Irrigation
~ Vegetables & Fruits: Vegetable thinning; Berries; Seeding; Weed & Insect control;
Irrigation; Grapes; Harvesting; Herbs; Small Fruits; vegetables ~ Review Questions.
Study
Book 5: The Autumn Garden
Objectives, Key words, Introduction. Lawns: Seeding; Grass
types; General care ~ Flower Beds: General; Bulbs; Bulb planting; Transplanting;
Alpines; Seed collection and storage; Autumn Cleanup ~ Trees, Shrubs & Vines: Fertilising
Trees: Types of fertiliser; Time of application; Rate of application; Method of application;
Fertilising Shrubs; Autumn Cleanup; Transplanting; Hardwood and Evergreen Cuttings
~ Vegetables & Fruits: harvesting; Vegetables; Fruits; Seed harvesting; vegetable
bed preparation ~ Review Questions.
Learner Profile Form and First Tutor Marked Assignment
Study Book 6: Fruit
Part 1 Top Fruit
Introduction, Apples, Pears, Plums and damsons,
Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines and Almonds, Apricots, Quince.
Part 2 Soft Fruit
Introduction,
Gooseberries, Currants, Raspberries, Black and Hybrid berries, Strawberries, Other
fruits, Review Questions for Study Book 6 parts 1 & 2
Study Book 7: Trees, Shrubs
and Pruning
Objectives, Key words, Introduction, Trees and Shrubs, Climbers. Review
Questions.
Study Book 8: Soils, Fertilisers & Composts
Objectives, Key words, Introduction.
Soil Fertility ~ Soil pH ~ Soil Structure ~ Fertilisers: General; Types of Fertilisers;
Labelling, Health & Safety; Comparisons. FYM: Farmyard manures ~ Composts and composting
~ Fertilizers, mulches and green manures: Mulches; Green manures ~ An introduction
to nutrient budgets ~ Hydroponics. Review Questions.
Study Book 9: Under Cover Gardening
Objectives,
Key words, Introduction, Large Protective Structures, Frames, Cloches, Fleece etc., The
Glasshouse Environment, Integrated Pest Management, Review Questions.
Second Tutor Marked Assignment
Study Book 10: Pests, Diseases, Disorders & Weeds
Objectives, Key words, Introduction.
Large pests: Insects with incomplete metamorphosis: Insects with complete metamorphosis:
Molluscs: Mites: Nematodes: Fungus: Bacteria: Viruses: Nutritional disorders: Environmental
disorders: Weeds: Classification ~ Noxious Weeds ~ Weed Identification ~ Weed Control:
Preventative; Cultural: Ground Cover; Mechanical: Cultivation; Mulches; Biological;
Chemical ~ Review Questions.
Study Book 11: Answers to Review Questions
Final Tutor Marked Assignment
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